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An antenna truss is a supporting structure that holds an antenna mast upright. A properly designed truss supports the antenna against wind and minor impact. Making an antenna truss for your ham, FM or high definition antenna is often as straightforward as placing a supporting pipe in the ground, anchored by properly placed guy wires for increased lateral support.
When you first looked at the Heathkit or Hallicrafters ham radio kit you got for your birthday years ago, you were hooked. Since then, you’ve probably cobbled more than one piece of ham gear together. Now, you find that you need to switch between two antennas. You can buy an antenna switch box, but if you have some spare bits and pieces, such as coaxial sockets or a junction box, hanging around, you’ll have the satisfaction of having done it yourself, once again. You can even add a frequency counter.
If you would like to have a TV in your work space, but you have limited space, combining a desk with a television stand can provide a space-saving solution. Although you can purchase combination desks from a variety of online retailers and furniture stores, you can also build your own desk to meet your space requirements. You can build a combination desk using common carpentry tools.
Television lifts are a great way to tastefully camouflage your TV inside of a cabinet. A popup TV lift is a motorized mechanism that lifts and lowers your television by use of a remote control. You can purchase furniture that is specifically designed for TV lifts, but you can also modify a standard cabinet to use with a TV lift. Always consult your TV lift instructions before building it.
The TV center is often the focal point in a living room or family room, so it should be a piece you can be proud of. By constructing your own built-in TV center, you will not only gain a sense of pride in having built it yourself, but you can also save money doing so. Build your custom TV center to accommodate your particular TV, your media collection and to suit your personal style.
Adding a gridwall with a TV to your business or store brings in a high-tech modern feel. Gridwalls, metal grids affixed to the wall or to one another, are usually used for displaying products, advertisements or design ideas, and adding a television screen to the display allows you to promote the lifestyle enhanced by your products or services. You can use the TV to run a slideshow, to show commercials or to offer how-to videos. You can also use gridwalls with TVs for portable displays. For example, if you need video at a trade show or at a concert booth,…
A TV actuator is a box that causes a TV to rise and lower inside an object. Many people use this mounting system to hide the TV when not in use inside a shelf or other cabinet. When you want to watch TV, all you have to do is press a button to raise the TV out of the cabinet. You can make your own actuator system using basic carpentry and electric skills.
An outdoor television can allow you to enjoy programs while relaxing on your deck, patio, or outdoor spa. However, if you plan to install a television outside, you need an enclosure to protect the television from the elements. A television enclosure must be waterproof to prevent moisture from damaging the electronics of the television, and to reduce the risk of fire and electric shock.
Citizen Band radio, CB, is a short-distance radio communications system used by both commercial truck drivers and private citizens. Often, CBs are mounted and used inside vehicles and are a good way to call for emergency assistance in areas where there may not be cell phone coverage. However, there are also CB base sets that can be used from the home too. These base sets use telescoping antenna systems that are mounted outside, which are similar to television antenna used before the advent and widespread use of satellite and digital cable television.
The DK3 screwdriver antenna was originally developed by CB enthusiast Don Johnson in 1991. He designed a CB antenna using a modified electric screwdriver motor installed within the lower section to create a multiband antenna. The lower part of the antenna was built with large-enough tubing to encase the screwdriver, but it also increased the radiation efficiency of the antenna, making it work better. The DK3 screwdriver antenna maintains its superiority, and most CB experts recommend buying Don Johnson's original DK3 antenna design for an already-assembled mast section of the antenna.
GMRS and FRS radio systems are a popular way for people and firms to communicate for small distance without using a cellular or land-based telephone. GMRS, or General Mobile Radio Service, radios run at approximately 1 to 2 watts of power. FRS, or Family Radio Service, radios operate at less wattage and have less of a range. One common way to increase the range in these radios is to use an outside antenna. The key to using this method is designing a beam that is sized and oriented in a way that it serves its function the best way possible.…
J-pole antennas are common in amateur radio service because they're easy to build and perform well. All J-poles are end-fed, half-wave antennas; a short tuning stub gives poles their "J" shape. A simple J-pole is small enough to roll up and carry in a pocket, and it can operate on both the 2-meter and 70-centimeter amateur bands with a handheld transceiver.
A wireless antenna is necessary in order to receive transmissions from a wireless home network that is connected to the Internet. Signals degrade as they travel across distances, which makes interacting with a wireless network from a backyard more prone to failure when the transmitter is inside the house. Build an underground antenna system to amplify and strengthen the wireless signal. Supplies from a hardware shop and an electronics store will be needed, as will tools commonly found in most homes.
Building a credenza is one way to have a furniture item that reflects your style and adds vital storage space to your home. A television credenza can cut down on clutter with its built-in shelves or doors. Because of its small scale, it does not take up the floor space of a bulky entertainment center. Building a credenza requires some carpentry skills, but, as a shortcut, you can use an existing piece of furniture as the frame of a homemade credenza.
A good TV base (also known as a TV stand) is essential to ensure your TV sits upright and at eye level for all viewers. You can build your own TV base out of a few pieces of scrap wood.
Amateur radio antennas, like all antennas, need to be in resonance with their transmitted frequency. In addition to working well on its fundamental frequency, an antenna will also function on even harmonics of the fundamental frequency for which it was designed. The relationship between the 20-meter (14 MHz) band and the 15-meter (21 MHz) band is only 2/3 of a harmonic and is difficult to tune properly. A 40-meter (7 MHz) antenna, however, is resonant on both 20 meters and 15 meters as the second and third harmonics of 7 MHz respectively. Build an inverted V antenna designed for 7…
A folding TV tray can be very useful in the living room, letting you eat in comfort while relaxing on the couch before you fold it up and slide it away in an out-of-the-way space. A wooden TV table goes one better than the traditional metal design. It's not only functional, but also an attractive piece of furniture than can be used inside the house and out in the garden.
Amplitude modulation (AM) radio receivers can use a variety of antenna designs, and one that offers superior reception is the loop antenna. This very simple design can outperform other styles, and is an inexpensive way to extend the range of most AM radios. The radio should have two antenna lead screws -- positive and negative -- but the casing can be opened for access to the circuit board if exterior leads are not present. The average radio technician can make a flat loop antenna in about 30 minutes.
A Wi-Fi antenna can be constructed from grocery items, electronic parts and household supplies and tools. The can-like shape of your Wi-Fi antenna, called a "canteena, " will function as well as a store-bought model, but at a substantial reduction in cost. No electrical expertise is needed, although experience in using a soldering iron will be helpful.
The 11-meter citizens band is centered on a frequency of 27.185 megahertz (MHz) and is allocated by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to licensed operators in the Citizens Band Radio Service for conducting short, local, personal and business communications. CB radio operators often require antennas that are inexpensive, omnidirectional, portable and low-profile. Build a versatile, freestanding, 1/4-wavelength ground plane vertical monopole antenna for your CB radio operation to get on the air quickly at minimum expense.
An over-the-air (OTA) antenna picks up free television broadcasts transmitted from a local broadcast tower. You can build a simple indoor OTA antenna to connect to any high-definition television. All you need are some household items and a part from an electronics store or computer supply shop.
Amateur radio antennas for the 80-meter band are finicky because their resonant frequency range is quite narrow when compared with higher frequency (shorter wavelength) antennas. Since most 80-meter radio action occurs near 3.5 MHz, a wire vertical antenna designed for a center frequency of 3.55 MHz is ideal and easy to construct. Subsequent modifications will improve antenna performance in other frequency ranges, including the 75-meter radiotelephone portion of the band. Build a quarter wavelength wire vertical antenna for 80 meters to get on the air fast and inexpensively. Resonance on 40 meters is a bonus.
Ladderline was prevalent in most over-the-air television antenna designs, before the advent of the cable-ready TV. The dual-wire design improved the antenna's reception quality, providing a clear picture. Ladderline is still relevant, however, for television and amateur radio applications. Following the 2009 conversion to digital TV broadcasting, HDTV channels can be viewed using a homemade VHF or UHF antenna. You can connect ladderline to your HDTV, with the addition of an inexpensive matching transformer.
You can make your own digital amplified antenna using supplies you might have around your house, or that can be bought for cheap. The antenna you will be making is based off a DB-40 antenna design that is able to amplify signals when receiving them because of the way it is built. This allows you to pick up signals that you might be having trouble with right now using simple rabbit ear antennas or even a store bought amplified antenna.
Ladder line or twin-lead cable is frequently used for antenna applications. The twin-lead design balances the electrical flow across the feed line, minimizing impedance mismatch between the antenna and the radio. You can build a ladder line dipole antenna for the FM radio band, which will provide electrically balanced reception to your FM stereo receiver and minimize signal loss.
If you have a digital converter box or HDTV, you can watch free TV channels using a homemade antenna. One option is the bipolar or dipole antenna, which allows you to receive over-the-air HDTV broadcasting. The dipole design receives signals from two directions, or poles, perpendicular to the broadside of the antenna. The TV signal is concentrated at these poles, improving the signal strength and quality of the digital picture.
A UHF rhombic antenna can boost weak and distant TV signals, providing enhanced reception to your digital or high-definition TV. The diamond-shaped rhombic antenna's high-gain design provides improved signal quality, enabling you to watch local TV programming without a costly cable TV subscription. This type of antenna can be mounted to your ceiling or in your crawl space, eliminating unsightly antenna rods and wires.
Tracking antennas are used to keep track of UAVs, or unmanned vehicle systems, such as drones. If you are a hobbyist or own an unmanned vehicle and want to keep track of it while on the go, mount the antenna to your automobile. As long as you have the appropriate mounts, you can set it up quickly.
A Yagi antenna broadcasts its signal in a single direction toward the closest cell tower. That's why the position of the antenna is important when you are mounting it. The good news is that it's possible to mount a Yagi antenna yourself, without the help of a technician.
If you live in an area with poor television reception, but would like to receive free digital TV broadcasts, a high-gain rhombic antenna may be an effective solution. A rhombic, or diamond-shaped, antenna can be built to receive distant and weak VHF TV signals. The design can be mounted to a ceiling or hidden in the crawl space, minimizing unsightly wires in your living room. This versatile rhombic design may partially receive UHF programming as well.
A TV antenna allows you to pick up certain airwaves in the UHF and VHF frequencies if you have a digital TV or digital TV box to convert the signal. You can save money by making a TV antenna that can yield the same results if you live in an area where there are decent signals, high elevation terrain, and few or no tall structures blocking your reception. You can make your own TV antenna at home in a few steps.
The start of digital broadcasting launched a new era in American television entertainment. Fuzzy, ghostly images were replaced by sharp, colorful high-definition images on wider screens. But the new broadcast medium relies much more heavily than its predecessor on the quality of the TV signal reception.
A rhombic, or diamond-shaped, antenna can be a low-cost, high-gain alternative to commercial UHF television antennas. In contrast to other large, unsightly indoor TV antennas, a rhombic can be secured directly to a ceiling, or placed out of sight in the crawl space. Build this inexpensive antenna to receive high-definition digital over-the-air broadcasts for free.
The 900 MHz radio band is a relatively new range of frequencies for the amateur radio hobbyist. The 900 MHz spectrum affords the ham radio operator freedom to experiment with various applications and devices because of its novelty and shorter wavelength. Build this simple omni-directional antenna designed for the 902 to 928 MHz range, and tune to a new frontier in ham radio.
If you have problems getting clear cellular reception on your cell phone, you may want to think about installing a Yagi antenna. These antennas focus the cell signal in one direction, effectively boosting the signal in your phone, provided you are in the area of the antenna. The best part about these particular antennas is that you don't need to know much about electronics in order to set them up.
If you are receiving television programming with the help of a digital antenna, you may find the signal does not come in well for all stations. This is due to the distance the station is away from the TV. In order to improve the antenna performance, it is possible to boost its strength, which in turn allows the television to obtain a better image.
If you have an amplified TV antenna, you usually receive a much stronger signal than with a regular antenna. A pre-amplifier provides extra power to enhance the signal from the antenna to your house. A distribution amplifier gives your signal the strength necessary to travel to every TV in your house. Utilize both types of TV antenna amplifiers to ensure that the signal does not lose power as it travels through cable lines to your television.
A high-definition television antenna receives free digital signals from broadcast towers maintained by the local TV network affiliates. A HDTV dish-mounted antenna receives a digital signal from a tower that is farther away because the parabolic nature of the dish which increases the antenna's receptive capabilities. The HDTV antenna must be pointed in the direction of the towers, necessitating knowing their location relative to your dish.
A wireless transmitter must provide a wide coverage area if placed within a small confining space. To provide an omnidirectional high-gain wireless local area network (WLAN), combine a Wi-Fi antenna with a satellite dish. A few supplies will be needed from an electronics supply and hardware store and the satellite dish can be acquired from a satellite service supply. A few common tools will be needed as well.
An Advanced Television System Committee antenna is designed to pull in free digital television broadcasts from local television stations. You can make your own low-profile, fractal-based ATSC antenna for watching digital TV broadcasts. A few supplies from a hardware store will be needed, along with some tools that most homes already have on hand. The procedure is involved, but no special electrical or mechanical skills are required.
An external TV antenna receives free signals from broadcast towers set up by local TV stations. You can make a TV antenna that will receive a only one TV station from the broadcast towers. This requires supplies from a hobby store or an electronics supply store, tools commonly found around the home and a digital converter box to modify the signal. You won't have to modify the TV to which the antenna will be connected.
If you're having trouble picking up a digital television signal with your current antenna, build your own antenna at home. Digital antennas work better when they are unobstructed by trees or buildings. You might not be able to do anything about the obstructions near your home but a custom-built antenna can offer better reception than the typical digital antenna.
A dipole antenna, used to receive radio signals from great distances, consists of two horizontally placed wire rods connected at either end of a connector designed to convey the wireless signal over a coaxial cable. Proper alignment of the dipole antenna is necessary if signals are to be accepted with minimal or no interference. The procedure involves a computer and rotating the dipole antenna using the same tools that were used in mounting it in the first place on the roof.
Before the U.S. Federal Communications Commission's mandated June 12, 2009, switch to digital TV, a person could stick a paper clip into a coaxial cable port to receive broadcast television signals. This method doesn't work as well after the switch. Though free coupons for digital converter boxes were offered before this switch, the antenna usually had to be purchased separately at the TV viewer's expense. If you want to avoid buying an antenna and you have some old coat hangers, there'd a way to make a digital TV antenna from hangers and other materials.
Owners of recreational vehicles can enjoy high definition television just like at home, provided they have a digital antenna connected to an HDTV. If you want an inexpensive HDTV antenna for your camper, you can make one yourself with a few common household tools and supplies found at any hardware store or electronics supply shop. You do not need expertise in electronics to build this HDTV antennae, which does not require rooftop or side-of-camper installation.
A dipole antenna uses electrical voltage to create a electromagnetic field that attracts the TV broadcast signal. Aligning the dipole to take advantage of its maximum sensitivity along the right angles relative to the axis is necessary in order to guarantee correct placement. This proper placement of the dipole antenna makes sure that the TV signal is received, so that it can be transmitted to the television for viewing. The physical manipulation of the dipole requires partial disassembly from the mount to which it has been attached, which will require you to use some common household tools.
As of June 12, 2009, television stations have switched over to a digital broadcast, so all indoor television antennas must be capable of receiving digital transmissions. All that's needed in most areas to pull in this digital signal is a simple indoor television antenna. With ordinary objects you probably have at home and just a minimal investment for minor electronic parts, you can build an effective indoor TV antenna for watching high-quality broadcast signals.
A digital high-definition television (HDTV) antenna has an advantage over the analog antenna it replaces in that there is no ghosting or interference patterns generated by the broadcasted signal. You can build your own indoor HDTV antenna from a few supplies purchased from a hardware store, a few tools found around the house and some parts from an electronics store or hobby shop.
Local television stations broadcast in high-definition digital TV signals instead of analog signals. The images are vibrant and clear, and the sound is in digital stereo quality. With the aid of an outside antenna, digital TV with a built-in digital receiver or a digital converter box, you can receive all of your local channels over-the-air in high-definition television for free. Creating an outside antenna for improving the digital signal only takes a few hours, but the antenna boosts the signals, allowing better television reception.
If you are looking to obtain the most possible television stations without paying for satellite or cable service you need to build a heavy-duty, ultimate antenna. A standard television antenna only goes so far when it comes to picking up signals, but it is possible to increase the signal strength with a few additional devices and, depending on your television, you may need a special converter to allow you to view the programming. Of course, now that all wireless television signals are completely digital you do need a digital converter box, if using an older analog television set.
A TV antenna is used to receive a signal from a broadcast tower and direct it to the television it is connected to. Many people find that standard TV antennas provide a weak connection and drop the signal frequently, disrupting your viewing. If your antenna performs like this and you would like a more reliable piece of equipment, you can make your own out of wire coat hangers and a few other everyday items. You will need to be slightly familiar with handling electrical current to set your antenna up properly.
TV stations use a broadcast tower to transmit television signals to homes for free. You can build a digital TV antenna that will receive these signals so that you can watch free TV on your high-definition television set. You will need a few supplies commonly found around the home along with an antenna taken off any old radio or portable boom box you have lying around. No special electronic skills are needed to build your free TV antenna.
A high-definition TV (HDTV) is no different than any television set in that it needs an antenna in order to pick up a television signal. You can view free high-definition TV by building a homemade digital TV antenna for your HDTV. You will need a few supplies that can be found around the house or purchased from an electronics or hobby store as well as some ordinary hardware tools. The procedure is straightforward and does not require any special mechanical or electronic skills. You won't harm the HDTV in any way by using the homemade digital TV antenna.
Since 2009, television stations have been moving to broadcasting high-definition signals. These signals can be captured by an antenna you can make yourself for less than $10. A home-built high-def TV antenna will let you receive many of your favorite shows without paying money to a cable company. And in many cases, your DIY antenna will outperform the commercial HDTV antennas costing many times more.
Television signals coming from a TV broadcasting tower can’t be received if the TV doesn’t have a UHF antenna connected to it. You can make a UHF antenna in around an hour from an empty coffee can, a few hardware parts and a few electronic parts. Get adult supervision if you are underage since a cutting edge and a soldering iron will be used.
A television antenna placed outdoors will improve the quality of the free television broadcasts that are being transmitted by the TV stations to your high-definition TV set. You can make an outdoor antenna from a few parts purchased from a hardware store and tools commonly found around the house. The procedure for making the outdoor antenna is straightforward, although somewhat involved, and can make an excellent weekend project for you or for your family.
A digital signal is used to broadcast television for free to homes with high-definition television sets (HDTV). You can make a high-gain indoor antenna that will let your HDTV better pick up all of the television signals being transmitted, regardless of your distance from the broadcast towers. You will need metal coat hangers, some hardware and electronic store parts and common household tools. Your high-gain indoor antenna will cost you much less and often perform better than those purchased from a TV supply store.
A yagi antenna can improve the signal for your cell phone or digital television reception. Mounting an antenna requires some basic tools and a little bravery in getting to the highest point of a structure. Height is a critical factor in determining the success or failure of an antenna install.
If you want to receiver free television signals over the air, you'll need to connect an antenna to your television. With the advent of digital broadcasting, television signals are broadcast in the UHF frequency band, which is centered around 176 Mhz. A UHF antenna will receive these signals so that you can tune in local stations. While there are many types of antenna designs, this simple dipole antenna will work well at receiving local stations.
Digital television has the advantage over analog in that it receives all of the broadcasts being transmitted with full signal strength and none of the interference inherent in the now outdated system. You can build your own digital antenna that will receive over-the-air broadcasts without needing to have extensive electronic or mechanical skills. A few hardware items and tools are all that is needed and about an hour of your time. Your digital TV antenna will work with your existing cable box or satellite receiver or even directly in your high-definition TV.
Receiving free local HDTV broadcasts is as simple as making and hooking up an antenna to your HDTV. The good news is that, using many items you may already have around the house, you can make your own for a fraction of the cost of a store-bought antenna. Once you construct, connect and mount your antenna, you will enjoy the crisp, clear pictures and sounds of high-definition television.
Making a simple half-wave folded dipole TV antenna is an easy construction project. It provides a lot better reception than the simple rabbit ears dipole, but not as good as a high-gain directional antenna. Custom design it for your weakest signal or build several for channels of interest. The antenna is made from "300-ohm twin-lead" which is the brown or black flat lead in wire used for outdoor TV and FM radio antennas.
Some people still rely on homemade antennas for watching TV. Nowadays, TV networks are digital, which is why you may have to use a digital-to-analog converter with an analog TV to watch different TV channels. However, this is not required for digital TVs. You can easily construct your own directional TV antenna using materials that are probably lying at your home.
You would think that with the switch to HDTV signals that the tried and true wire coat hanger antenna would become a thing of the past. Not so, Doyt Hoverman, an engineer developed a plan to utilize wire coat hangers to build an outdoor antenna with a coat hanger that can increase your signal by up to 60%. Spacing and the proper arrangement of the hangers is very important. You also can only use unpainted metal hangers.
The homemade wire coat hanger HD antenna has become sort of a phenomenon. The main reason is its incredibly low cost, from next to nothing, if the parts are just laying around, to about $10 for a motorized version. The second reason is that the simple construction pulls in stronger signals than are readily transmitted by the cable and satellite TV providers, with program name and more information available on-screen. Actual construction can take 30 minutes to an hour, so it doesn't take much time, in addition to getting great signals for free.
Building a television antenna can seem like a daunting project, but following basic steps and having the right parts means you can be HDTV surfing in no time. With a homemade high-def TV antenna, you will be able to receive all of the free, over-the-air, HD broadcasts in your immediate area. You can build your own high-def antenna at a fraction of the cost of a store-bought model, yet have the same results.
A TV over-the-air antenna lets you tune in your television to the free transmissions from local television stations. This antenna design is simple and inexpensive to build, and it will provide powerful and sensitive performance for both standard-definition and HDTV broadcasts.
TV signals are sent by means of electromagnetic waves. A TV antenna is designed to act as a transducer, which converts electromagnetic waves into electrical currents the TV can then interpret. To this effect, a cheap way of amplifying or strengthening a TV's signal is to create a device that magnifies and focuses these electromagnetic waves. As we're dealing with magnets, which are used in TVs to reduce static interference, a TV signal amplifier should result in clearer picture and sound.
This is a crude yet useful homemade TV antenna amplifier that is much safer and easier to make than trying to construct a complicated amplifier using circuit boards and soldering tools. "Amplifier" here is being defined as a connection that will make your TV reception stronger. Ferrite magnets are commonly used in radios and act as resistors, which means they help stop high frequency noises from entering or leaving electronic devices. So in theory, a "magnetic amplifier" should help to transfer energy from your antenna to your TV more efficiently and control static noises. While this crude "amplifier" may or…
